COVID vaccines myth busting #5

Do fit and healthy people have to get vaccinated?

COVID-19 is a highly infectious disease. Even if you’re fit and healthy you can still get COVID-19 and pass it onto someone else who may get very sick.

Just because you’re fit and healthy doesn’t mean you won’t experience long-standing consequences from infection. You might have heard the term ‘Long COVID’ or ‘Long Haulers’. We are seeing a growing number of COVID patients in Australia and overseas who are still struggling with symptoms after the infection has passed. This includes fatigue, breathlessness and chest pain.

Research shows that both the Pfizer (Comirnaty) and the AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria) COVID-19 vaccines prevent severe disease, people going to hospital and death. However ongoing research is required to determine whether the vaccines prevent transmission or asymptomatic disease. When you get vaccinated, you are protecting yourself and helping to protect the whole community.

Do people have to receive two doses and do they have to be the same type of COVID-19 vaccine for it to be effective?

Yes, it is important that every person who receives a COVID-19 vaccine receive the full two-dose course of a vaccine. 

Both Pfizer and AstraZeneca require 2 doses to provide the best immunity. Pfizer doses are given at least 21 days apart. AstraZeneca doses can be given 4 – 12 weeks apart, but the Australian Technical Advisory Group in Immunisation recommend doses should be 12 weeks apart. When it’s your turn to get the COVID-19 vaccine, you will be able to make that equally important follow up appointment. It is important you get the same type of COVID-19 vaccine. This is because the evidence from clinical trials shows this is effective and is what is approved for use by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

How long does it take to have immunity after vaccination?

Both the Pfizer (Comirnaty) and the AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria) COVID-19 vaccines require the full 2 dose course for the best immune response. Whilst partial protection against COVID-19 may be as soon as 12 days after the first dose, this protection is likely to be short lived. The second dose encourages the body to create stronger protection (immunity) against the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. Individuals may not be fully protected until 7-14 days after their second dose of the Pfizer (Comirnaty) or AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria)) vaccine. Because of this, you can still become ill prior to this time and infect others around you, so you should continue COVIDSafe practices.

Will the flu vaccine protect me from getting COVID-19?

Influenza (flu) and COVID-19 are not the same. While they’re both viral infections, the viruses belong to 2 separate groups. The regular flu vaccination does not provide immunity to, or protection from, COVID-19. Similarly, a COVID-19 vaccine will not provide protection from the flu.